BTS singer Jungkook has become the first K-pop soloist to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone UK. He is also leading the magazine’s first-ever international collaboration project, which links editions across three continents. This marks a significant moment in K-pop’s global influence.
The news was announced with a preview cover image showing Jungkook in a sleek Calvin Klein outfit, similar to one he wore at New York Fashion Week . The official three different cover designs will be revealed on Monday, December 8, 2025 . Pre-orders for limited print versions in Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom started on December 1, 2025 .
A First For Rolling Stone And For K-Pop
This project makes history in two key ways. First, Jungkook is the first solo K-pop artist to ever be on the cover of Rolling Stone UK . Second, this is the first time that the UK, Korean, and Japanese editions of Rolling Stone have worked together on a single project with the same global release timing . This coordinated effort shows how major international media now view top K-pop stars.
“The cover will be available in print as three exclusive variant covers by Rolling Stone in Japan, Korea and the UK – to be revealed on December 8th 2025,” stated the official Rolling Stone UK announcement .
In addition to the print editions in the UK, Korea, and Japan, digital cover versions will also be released in Brazil, China, France, India, and the Philippines . The Japanese print edition, scheduled for December 25, 2025, will include a 24-page photo spread and interview .
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Fans Celebrate “A Global Pop Icon”
The announcement led to immediate excitement from fans, known as ARMYs, on social media. Many noted the significance of the global collaboration, highlighting Jungkook’s impact beyond just music.
“The project marks the first-ever collaboration among three editions of Rolling Stone UK, Korea & Japan,” wrote one fan on X. “They didn’t do that for just anyone. They did it for Jungkook” .
Another fan called him a “global pop icon,” a sentiment that was widely shared online . Others playfully commented on the preview image, recognizing the Calvin Klein outfit from his recent public appearance but noting a stylized difference for the magazine shoot.
Jungkook’s Record-Breaking Year And BTS’s Comeback
This magazine feature follows a period of huge success for Jungkook as a solo artist. His debut solo single “Seven,” released in 2023, recently surpassed 2.5 billion streams on Spotify . This is the first time any K-pop song has reached that number, passing the record set by BTS’s own global hit “Dynamite” . His total solo releases have now gathered over 9.4 billion streams, making him the most-streamed K-pop solo artist in history .
This milestone comes just months after Jungkook completed his mandatory military service in South Korea. He was discharged in June 2025 alongside fellow BTS member Jimin . With all seven members now having finished their service, the group confirmed they are actively working on new music for a full-group comeback. A new BTS album is planned for release in the spring of 2026 .
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